Deck Considerations to Build a Useful (and Beautiful) Deck
Deck Consideration | Purpose of the Deck
Knowing the deck’s purpose will affect the design including the material choice, size and extra amenities.
Dining
You’ll want to build the deck close to the kitchen access to minimize long trips back and forth. It’s also important to plan for plenty of room around your patio table for the chairs to pull out comfortably.
Relaxing
For decks designed exclusively with unwinding in mind, be sure to leave room for lounge chairs, maybe a pergola and refreshment-friendly side tables. And to get even more from your space, consider adding a cocktail rail to the top of your deck’s perimeter or splinter-free benches built right in.
Entertaining
Consider a multi-level deck to create zones for dining, lounging, or even a private space under a pergola. Using more than one decking color also helps identify one area from another, while different railing colors and styles bring high design to safety.
Pool & Hot Tub
Material choice is important when building a pool deck and so is having a sturdy foundation. Hot tubs can be heavy, so it’s important your deck’s foundation and framing are built to handle the load.
Deck Consideration | Decking Material
The three most common decking materials are wood (usually cedar), composite and PVC. Each has its own advantages (and drawbacks) and understanding which material is best for your specific needs is an important step in the deck building process.
Wood
Western Red Cedar is the most popular wood decking material in southwestern Ontario. It’s naturally resistant to rot and insect damage, and holds up well in our (sometimes) harsh weather conditions. Cedar decks do need to be maintained (regularly sanded and stained) to keep their colour — or it will naturally grey out.
Composite
Composite decking is made from a blend of different products including wood, straw and plastic. It can be coloured and textured to mimic wood and is a popular option for homeowners that don’t want to sand or restain their deck regularly.
PVC
Often confused with composite, PVC decking is 100% manmade — meaning that there are no wood fibres. It’s slightly more expensive than composite, but does a better job distributing heat (important for decks with all-day sun). There’s also a bit more colour/texture choice with PVC products.
Deck Considerations | Railing Options
Decks higher than 2′ will need a railing. You can match the railing to the decking material, use something completely distinct, or even mix-and-match products.
Wood
A custom-crafted railing out of Western Red cedar is stunning. (Just look at the picture above). When building a cedar railing, there are limitless design options when it comes to pickets.
Glass
InvisiRail is the industry leader in glass railings (and the company we recommend). Their system maximizes visibility through your railing — without sacrificing strength or durability.
Metal
Powder-coated aluminum is a popular railing choice, but there are also iron or steel railing systems that could look stunning with a wood, composite or PVC deck.
Composite/PVC
Most composite and PVC decking companies also manufacture matching railing lines. You could install the same colour as your decking — or choose a contrasting colour.
Our Featured Projects
Cedar and Concrete Front Entrance
Custom designed and built cedar and concrete entrance way.
Outdoor Living Area
Outdoor Living SpaceThe homeowners requested an entire back and side yard dream design for their retirement home. Design elements include a PVC deck (1500 sq. ft.), a porch roof (550 sq. ft.), a cabana/pump house (230 sq. ft.), a utility shed (130 sq. ft.), a cedar...
Private Cedar Deck
Cedar Deck + Fence + Privacy Screen + Pergola Western Red cedar deck Western Red cedar pergola Black powder-coated aluminum fence posts + Western Red cedar infill Black powder-coated aluminum privacy screen with Western Red cedar detail Project Type Design + Build:...
Deck Considerations | Built-Ins and Add-Ons
A deck is more than just decking and railing. Customize the space to protect you from the rain (and sun) or design a chef-worthy outdoor kitchen.
Covered Porch
A covered patio is an open-air roof extension and installed to your home. It provides protection from both the sun and rain and is the perfect place for the dining table.
Outdoor Kitchen
Add a stylish and functional outdoor kitchen to your outdoor living space so you can prepare, cook, and enjoy meals outdoors
Pergola
Pergolas are independently supported structures that can be placed anywhere on the deck. They provide shade coverage — but won’t protect you from the rain.
Built-In Benches
Never have enough seating? Consider incorporating built-in benches into your design. As a bonus — built-in benches can also double as storage.
Deck Considerations | Luxury Upgrades
Sometimes it’s the smallest “extra” that really makes a difference in the design and comfort of your deck.
Lighting
LED lighting at the stairs and edges of the deck where there is no railing should be considered as a minimum for safety reasons. Solar, low voltage and standard exterior lights can be considered individually or in combination to achieve the desired lighting effect.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans hung over sitting areas offer a gentle breeze and can drastically reduce the number of bugs pestering you without cutting off the outdoors with screen panels.
Privacy Screen
A privacy screen should be interesting to look at, and not feel like a fence but a feature. It should add depth and interest to the space, not cut it short. We look at privacy screens as an opportunity to express your style — not hinder it.
Ready to Design Your Deck?
FAQ
Do you give free deck quotes?
We provide free deck estimates, not quotes. For a free estimate, we come to your home, talk about design and materials, and take some quick measurements. Based on those factors, we present a baseline cost for your project.
Are the deck designs free?
The design process is important. It gives homeowners a realistic picture of what the final product will look like, cuts down on material waste, and provides a realistic build timeline. It also takes a lot of time to do correctly.
Because of the investment of time and resources, we bill for our design packages.
Will you build a deck without a design package?
No. All the decks we build start off with a design package. This allows us to create a custom deck that fits your specific needs and makes sure that there are no surprises at the end. What you see in the designs is what we build.
Will you just design (not build) our deck?
Yes! If you are building your own deck or working with another contractor, we’d be happy to provide the designs. We can tailor a package to include conceptual designs, working plans, material takeoff, permit plans and more.